Federal Programs
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is the law that replaces the No Child Left Behind Act. ESSA represents a shift from broad federal oversight or primary and secondary education to greater flexibility and decision making at the state and local levels. This measure reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation's national education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students. ESSA requires each state to develop a plan that is designed to close achievement gaps, increase equity of instruction and increase outcomes for all students. The state of Alabama continues to transition to this new law and the SDE committee work until complete.
Opp City Schools strives to provide the best learning environment for our students by utilizing all funding resources. The funds provided by the ESSA legislation supplements our efforts by providing additional resources for our students.
Title Programs utilized in Opp City Schools.
Title I – Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA) provides financial assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards. Federal funds are currently allocated through four statutory formulas that are based primarily on census poverty estimates and the cost of education in each state.
Title I is designed to help students served by the program to achieve proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards. Title I schools with percentages of students from low-income families of at least 40 percent may use Title I funds, along with other Federal, State, and local funds, to operate a "schoolwide program" to upgrade the instructional program for the whole school. Opp Elementary and Opp Middle School operate Schoolwide Programs.
Title III - officially known as the English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act. The Act states that LEP students must not only attain English proficiency but simultaneously meet the same academic standards as their English-speaking peers in all content areas. Federal funding is provided to assist State Education Agencies (SEAs) and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in meeting these requirements.
Title IV – To ensure our education system prepares every child to graduate from high school ready to thrive in college or careers, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) established the Title IV, Part A, Students Support and Academic Enrichment program as one of the provisions to support students’ successes. This program is intended to help meet these goals by increasing the capacity of state education agencies, local education agencies (LEAs), schools, and local communities to: (1) provide all students with access to a well-rounded education, (2) improve school conditions for student learning, and (3) improve the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students. (ESSA, Section 4101).
Title V, Part B - Flexibility and Accountability – Rural Education and Achievement Program
The purpose of Title V is to allow states and districts the flexibility to target federal funds to the programs and activities that most effectively address the unique needs of states and localities. In particular, Title V, Part B—the Rural Education Initiative—is designed to help states and districts meet the unique needs of rural school districts that frequently lack the personnel and resources needed to compete effectively for federal competitive grants, and receive formula funds in amounts too small to be effective in meeting their intended purposes. Title V matters because it can help ensure that principals and school leaders working in states and districts with rural populations have funding flexibility so teachers, school personnel, and students get the extra support they need.
For additional information, please contact Emily Edgar, Director of Federal Programs at eedgar@oppboe.com
